Prevalence of sarcopenia in older age hospitalized persons, as determined by different sets of diagnostic criteria

Abstract

Background: Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome characterised by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, muscular strength, and physical performance; it carries the risk of physical incapacity and reduced quality of life. This work reported the prevalence of sarcopenia in people aged ≥65 years, all in-patients at the Hospital Central de la Defensa Gómez Ulla, as determined by three sets of diagnostic criteria. The suitability of the indistinct use of these criteria sets was discussed.

Methods: This was a cross sectional study. Sarcopenia was diagnosed depending on muscle mass, strength and functionality according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), EWSOP2 and SARCF criteria. This study involved 295 people, all aged ≥65 years, and all of whom had been admitted to the above hospital between 1st March and 30th September 2018. Sampling was consecutive and performed at the internal medicine ward.

Results: The overall prevalence of sarcopenia was 43.7% [95%CI 38-49.4%] according to the EWGSOP criteria, 28.5% [23.3-33.7%] according to EWGSOP2, and 37.6% [32-43.1%] according to SARCF. The EWGSOP criteria showed sarcopenia to be significantly more common among men than women (p<0.05).

Conclusions: The prevalence of sarcopenia recorded differed depending on the set of criteria used; they cannot, therefore, be used indistinctly for the diagnosis of this condition. Rather, given the results obtained, it would seem reasonable, in Europe, to continue using the EGSWOP criteria while research continues in this area.